In the United Kingdom, Energy Performance Certificates (EPC) are a required component of buying, selling and renting a property.
What is an EPC rating?
An EPC rating is an overall review of a property’s energy efficiency. This rating allows the potential buyers or renters to see how much their energy bills will cost in their new property. The property’s EPC rating depends on:
- The amount of energy used per m2
- The level of carbon dioxide emissions (given in tonnes per year)
An energy performance certificate is valid for 10 years from the date it is issued, if your EPC is older than this, then you will need to get a new EPC issued before you can sell or rent your property. However, EPCs are also a very useful tool for homeowners as this allows them to review their property’s energy efficiency and consequently be able to improve this, along with the running cost of the property and the overall comfort of their home.
The importance of your EPC rating
Every property has to have a valid energy performance certificate before it can be sold, apart from already listed buildings. The valid EPC rating makes it much easier for the buyer when comparing between different properties when making a tough call between different homes. Even at a glance, almost anyone would choose the high scoring, A rated, green property over the low scoring, G rated, red one. This would of course mean that the A rated property is a lot more energy efficient than the G rated property and would therefore save the homeowner money every month on their bills. However, if your property is G rated, don’t worry because the EPC explains exactly what steps need to be taken to improve the overall rating. Improving the energy efficiency of your home now will stand you in very good stead when it comes to selling your property. Once the improvements have been made, it is a good idea to have a new EPC done to reflect these changes. In recent developments, some mortgage companies are only offering certain products to customers purchasing homes with a certain EPC rating or better.
The importance of an EPC when switching to a heat pump
The Boiler Upgrade Scheme (BUS) provides government funding of £5,000 off the upfront cost of getting a heat pump system designed and installed. To be eligible you need to be able to satisfy certain criteria and that includes having no outstanding wall or roof insulation issues outstanding on your valid EPC.
More Information
If you have more questions, or you need an EPC, then contact KIS property solutions on 01484 507801 We will help you with your EPC requirements, in a friendly efficient manner and remove the stress.